Ward, 18, appeared before Moose Jaw provincial court Thursday to receive her sentence.

She pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including break, enter and robbery and wearing a mask while committing an offence, in May.

She initially appeared for sentencing on June 26, but Judge Margaret Gordon delayed her sentencing for two weeks to deliberate existing case law, the facts surrounding Ward's matters, and the circumstances in Ward's life.

As Gordon addressed Ward in the court room, the 18-year-old was silent and her family and friends watched from the gallery.

Gordon began her decision by addressing the joint submission put forward by Ward's counsel and the Crown prosecutor on Jan. 26. The submission recommended a sentence of two years without credit for time served, along with other conditions that included a lifetime firearm ban.

"A joint submission should be taken seriously and not tinkered with unless the court feels it is entirely out of range," she told the room. "I can tell you at the outset, Ms. Ward, that I am going to follow (it)."

Gordon proceeded to explain her ruling, clarifying that she felt the offence was "very severe and troubling," a fact aggravated by Ward's apparent lack of empathy for the primary victim of her crime.

"One of your comments in the pre-sentence report was that a child was not supposed to be there (at the time)," said Gordon. "You were just deluding yourself. This crime was unacceptable."

However, there were mitigating factors as well, she noted.

In particular, a number of letters submitted by supporters "provided a glimpse at your other side," said Gordon.

"In the letters, you were described generally as a sweet young girl, bright and friendly, but also impressionable and easily led," said Gordon. "The letters also indicated that when you are sober, you know right from wrong."

Gordon also considered Ward's young age, large group of supporters and addictions in a similar light.

"You are 18 years old and you're going to receive a significant sentence," she explained. "None of us take joy in this."

Ward will serve two years in prison without consideration for her time spent in remand. She is also banned from possessing or using firearms for life and must submit a sample of her DNA to the criminal databank.

Following the reading of her sentence, Gordon forcefully declared that she is "at a crossroads."

"I hope you make the right choices while you are incarcerated, and you can start over again," she added.